A unique partnership between medical and research visionaries was realised when the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Quentin Bryce AC CVO, officially opened the new Translational Research Institute in Brisbane.
Translational Research Institute (TRI) marks a significant milestone in the history of medical research in Australia.
Led by world-renowned scientist and co-inventor of the cervical cancer vaccine, Professor Ian Frazer AC, TRI is a joint venture between four leading research institutes, bringing together 650 researchers in collaboration to discover new treatments for common and serious illnesses and diseases.
The Institute, with a co-located biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility, will enable the discovery, manufacture and testing of therapies and vaccines that will have profound impact on the health of people world-wide.
Multi-disciplinary teams of doctors and researchers will work together at TRI to develop and test potential new treatments.
Director of Research at TRI, Prof Frazer, said:
“What we learn from medical research improves our health, and quality of life. TRI will bring together some of the best and brightest clinicians and scientists from our leading research institutions, who share a vision for providing better health.
“Research at TRI aims to develop novel interventions that can prevent or better treat common problems including cancer, diabetes, trauma, arthritis, and infectious diseases, and to make new treatments available to the world through partnership with industry.”
“Bringing researchers from different backgrounds together in a world class facility maximises the opportunity for innovative thinking, which is the key driver of progress”.
Professor Ranjeny Thomas, Professor of Rheumatology from the University of Queensland Diamantina Institute said while being in science is exciting; it’s a really tough business.
“It’s all about community; science can’t be done in isolation. The community and environment at TRI makes me feel stimulated and supported in what I am trying to achieve”, Prof Thomas said.
TRI gives us scale; from looking at tiny microscopic structures to health economics that give better patient care said Professor Forbes, a senior researcher from Mater Research.
“Importantly, it allows us to do team science and assists us to tackle complex health issues that have far-reaching impact”, said Prof Forbes.
TRI’s capacity to translate potential treatments into practical clinical solutions has been made possible through funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments, The Atlantic Philanthropies, Queensland University of Technology and The University of Queensland.
Following on from the official opening, TRI will open its doors to the community this weekend for Brisbane Open House 2013.
The event provides the opportunity to hear first-hand about research undertaken at TRI from Prof Frazer and other researcher leaders as part of the daily 'Science 101' presentations.
“Brisbane Open House is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about what it means to be a researcher, and to experience some of the fantastic and ground-breaking work being undertaken at TRI.
“TRI’s participation in Brisbane Open House will give the community some insight into our research and the impact it will have, and will show how the unique design of the building helps facilitate our research work”, Prof Frazer said.
For more information please contact:
Julie Milton, Communications and Marketing Director on 0417 679 306
Felicity Ivers, Communications Advisor on 0418 831 289
